Method for closing a flat product, and apparatus for carrying out the method

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for closing a flat product ( 14 ) which comprises a cover sheet which is open on at least one side and at least one printed product which is inserted loosely into the cover sheet, wherein the product ( 14 ) is fed to a closing apparatus ( 15, 15 ′) in a freely suspended manner or in an overlapping stream, and wherein the at least one open side of the cover sheet is closed in the closing apparatus ( 15, 15 ′) exclusively by mechanical action on the cover sheet by means of a closing tool ( 19, 19 ′).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

It has been customary for a relatively long time to add printed products in a loosely inserted manner to newspapers and magazines, which printed products differ from the newspaper in terms of their type and design in that firstly they have a smaller format and secondly they are printed, for example, as visually attractive brochures on heavy, smooth high gloss paper or contain postcards or coupons printed on cardboard. Newspapers and magazines are also known, in which heavy enclosures are inserted into a relatively thin main product having few pages. When handling said products during transport to or directly at the final consumer, there is the risk that the enclosures are displaced or even fall completely out of the newspaper.

2. Discussion Of Related Art

It has therefore already been proposed in EP-B1-0 666 186 to secure product units which comprise a folded outer part and printed products which are arranged between the limbs of the outer part against unintentionally falling out of the inserted printed products by the outer part being closed on one or more open sides by the attachment of an adhesive strip. Here, the closing operation is either carried out in a drum-like processing apparatus, in which the product units are held in pocket-like receiving parts, or on a conveying path, on which the product units are transported by means of a clamp conveyor such that they hang freely. It is a disadvantage of this solution that additional aids are required for the closing operation in the form of adhesive means or adhesive tapes which have to be provided, fed in and applied. If the closing operation is carried out in the drum-like processing apparatus, a comparatively complicated and complex mechanism which interacts with the drum is necessary.

Furthermore, it has been proposed in EP-B1-0 676 354 to insert printed products of this type in the V-shaped insertion compartments of a packaging drum or of a circulating packaging system into a folded packaging element and to close the packaging element in the insertion parts to form an envelope by the printed products being pressed together for closure by protruding parts of the packaging element. Here, the actual closure can take place by the use of adhesive means or by a combination of pressing together of the edge regions of the packaging element by means of pressing rollers, toothed rolls or clamping jaws. The integration of the closing process into the insertion process ensures that the product units comprising printed units and packaging element are accessible individually from all sides. However, it is also disadvantageous here that the closing apparatus has to be adapted to the complex operations and movements during the insertion process and is of correspondingly complicated design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and an apparatus for securing loosely inserted printed products which are distinguished by reduced expenditure and can be used more flexibly.

The object is achieved by a method as claimed in claim 1 and an apparatus as claimed in claim 12. It is essential for the method according to the invention that the product which comprises a cover sheet (also called cover or protective sheet) and printed products which are inserted loosely in the cover sheet and is open at least on one side (and usually on three sides) is fed to a closing apparatus in a freely hanging manner or in an overlapping flow, and that at least one open side of the cover sheet is closed in the closing apparatus exclusively by mechanical action on the cover sheet by means of a closing tool. The feeding of aids such as adhesive means or staples is omitted as a result of the use of a closing technique which works purely mechanically. This simplifies the closing process considerably and makes it possible to carry out this process outside a packaging drum or the like directly on the products which are transported in an overlapping stream or in a freely hanging manner in a clamp conveyor.

One refinement of the method according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that at least one open side of the cover sheet is closed by caulking of two edges which lie on one another. Here, caulking is understood to be a common deformation of the edges, which deformation manages without perforation.

As an alternative to this, however, it is also possible that at least one open side of the cover sheet is closed by interlocking of two edges which lie on one another. Here, small sections of one edge are pressed through openings in the other edge and are folded over in a hook-shaped manner.

Another refinement is distinguished by the fact that the product is conveyed in a conveying apparatus with other products of the same type in a continuous stream along a conveying path, and by the fact that the product is fed by means of the conveying apparatus to the closing apparatus for closing, and is led away after being closed. In this way, the closing process can be integrated in a simple way into an existing conveying process, without the conveying operation being changed or disrupted. In particular, the product can be guided through the closing apparatus by means of the conveying apparatus for closing.

It is particularly advantageous if the product is moved continuously through the closing apparatus, and the closing tool is moved during the closing operation synchronously with the product to be closed. The closing operation can thus be adapted seamlessly to the conveying operation.

The method is particularly simple if, according to another refinement of the invention, the product is moved through the closing apparatus on a straight conveying path, and the closing tool is moved during the closing operation parallel to the product to be closed.

However, it is also conceivable that the product is moved through the closing apparatus on a straight conveying path, and the closing tool is moved during the closing operation on a circular path, along which the product is transported substantially tangentially.

In many cases, however, it can also be advantageous if the closing apparatus is moved during the closing operation synchronously with the product to be closed. This is the case when the products are conveyed in the conveying apparatus in the form of an overlapping stream, when, in order to fan out the products, the conveying path extends in a circular arc about a pivot axis, and when, during the closing operation, the closing apparatus is driven synchronously with the product to be closed, such that said closing apparatus pivots about the pivot axis.

The product preferably comprises a rectangular cover sheet which is folded once along a center line and forms a pocket which is open on three sides, the cover sheet being closed on at least one of the two transverse sides.

One refinement of the apparatus according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that the conveying apparatus is configured for conveying the products in a hanging manner, the products being held in each case centrally by a gripper, and by the fact that a closing apparatus is arranged on at least one side of the conveying apparatus, which closing apparatus has tongs-shaped closing tools for laterally closing the product or cover sheet, it being possible for the closing tools to be moved parallel to the conveying path and synchronously with the products.

In particular, the closing tools are fastened to a carrying element which is guided around two deflecting wheels in the manner of an endless belt, for example a belt, a toothed belt or a chain.

The closing tools preferably have in each case two clamping jaws which can be pivoted with respect to one another about a common pivot axis and on which elements for mechanically closing the cover sheet are arranged, the elements for mechanically closing the cover sheet comprising, in particular, perforation elements on one clamping jaw and associated openings on the other clamping jaw.

Another refinement of the apparatus is distinguished by the fact that the conveying apparatus is configured for conveying the products in an overlapping stream, and by the fact that a closing apparatus is arranged at least on one side of the conveying apparatus, which closing apparatus has an upper part and a lower part, between which the product is guided through in the conveying apparatus.

The upper and lower parts are preferably configured as closing tools and rolls which rotate in opposite directions and synchronously with the products. Here, in particular, the closing tool and the roll can be displaced with respect to one another in order to exert pressure on the cover sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following text, the invention is to be explained in greater detail using exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a detail of a conveying apparatus, in which the products are conveyed such that they hang freely on grippers, having a laterally arranged closing apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 shows the conveying apparatus from FIG. 1 in a view from above; a second closing apparatus which is arranged on the opposite side of the conveying stream can be seen,

FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of the conveyed product from FIGS. 1 and 2 which is closed on one side,

FIG. 4 shows a perspective illustration of the tongs-shaped closing tool used in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a detail of a conveying apparatus, in which the products are conveyed in the overlapping stream on an arcuate path such that they hang on grippers,

FIG. 6 shows the conveying apparatus from FIG. 5 in a view from above, having a closing apparatus which is pivoted synchronously about the center of the circular arc according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a detail of a conveying apparatus, in which the products are conveyed in the overlapping stream such that they hang on grippers, having a stationary closing apparatus which is equipped with rolls which run in opposite directions, according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 8 shows a side view of a detail of a conveying apparatus, in which the products are conveyed in the overlapping stream such that they lie on a transport belt, having a stationary closing apparatus which is equipped with rolls which run in opposite directions, according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a side view and a view from above of a first exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention. The apparatus comprises a conveying apparatus 10 for products 14 which, according to FIG. 3, comprise a cover sheet 21 which is folded once and printed products 22, 23 which are inserted loosely in it. In this form, the products 14 can be prepared in a drum-like insertion or packaging machine, as is described in the documents which are cited in the introduction. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the products 14 are transported individually along a conveying path 11 such that they hang freely on the grippers 13 of the conveying apparatus 10, of which conveying path 11 only a short section is shown. The grippers 13 can either run on running carriages 12 in a rail (not shown), or can be fastened to a chain which is moved along the conveying path 11. Conveying apparatuses of this type are known, for example, from EP-A1-1683612, EP-A1-1042203 or EP-A1-557680.

The products 14 are held by the grippers 13 in such a way that the open longitudinal side of the cover sheet 21 which is folded once lies at the top and is held in each case in the closed state by the gripper 13. The fold 24 of the cover sheet 21 which preferably extends along a center line of the usually rectangular cover sheet 21 is situated at the bottom. The size of the cover sheet 21 is selected in such a way that it protrudes beyond the inserted printed products 22, 23 on the three open sides and can be closed by the projecting edges being pressed onto one another (FIG. 3). Since the products 14 are held in the center by the grippers 13 (FIG. 2), the side regions of the products are freely accessible from the side.

Correspondingly, closing apparatuses 15 and 15′ which are of mirror symmetrical configuration with respect to one another are arranged on both sides of the conveying path 11. The closing apparatuses 15, 15′ comprise in each case a multiplicity of clamp-like, purely mechanically acting closing tools 19, 19′, the design of which is shown in detail in FIG. 4. The closing tools 19, 19′ are fastened to a belt-shaped or chain-shaped carrying element 16 or 16′ at predefined spacings which correspond to the spacings of the products 14 in the transport apparatus 10, which carrying element 16 or 16′ is guided in each case over two deflecting wheels or rollers 17, 18 or 17′, 18′ which are spaced apart from one another and extends parallel to the conveying path 11 between the deflecting wheels 17, 18 or 17′, 18′. In each case one of the deflecting wheels 17, 18 or 17′, 18′ is driven. The speed of the circulating carrying element 16 or 16′ is synchronized with the transport speed of the conveying apparatus 10 in such a way that; during their circulation, the closing tools 19, 19′ (as shown in FIG. 2) come into engagement with the sides of the products 14 and close them by way of a tongs movement. Here, the opened closing tool 19, 19′ first of all encloses the edge 21 a, 21 b of the product 14 at the start of the path of the common movement, then performs a tongs movement (in the center of the path) and opens again at the end of the path, in order to release the product 14 which is closed by the closure 20.

The closing tool 19, 19′ preferably has the design which is shown in FIG. 4: two clamping jaws 25, 26 can be pivoted with respect to one another about a common pivot axis 29 in the manner of a hinge. An actuating arm 27, 28 which protrudes perpendicularly with respect to the pivot axis 29 is attached to each of the clamping jaws 25, 26, which actuating arm 27, 28 can be equipped at the free end with a roller, by way of which it senses a corresponding slotted guide in the closing apparatus 15, 15′, which slotted guide controls the tongs movement. Elevated perforation elements 30, for example in the form of tongues which are bent out of the jaw plane, and corresponding openings 31 are arranged lying opposite one another on the clamping jaws 25, 26. If the clamping jaws 25, 26 are pivoted counter to one another in the tongs movement, the perforation elements 30 press from one side into those edges 21 a, 21 b of the product 14 which lie above one another and press a corresponding region through the associated opening 31. Depending on the design of the perforation elements 30 and the openings 31, caulking of the two edges (without penetration) can occur here, or penetration with subsequent interlocking.

In the embodiment which is shown, the closure 20 is attached only locally, that is to say is restricted to a short section of the edge, because it is to prevent merely the printed products 22, 23 sliding or falling out of the folded cover sheet 21. As a result, the clamp force which is required in the closing tool 19, 19′ is reduced. In addition to the two transverse sides of the product 14, a closure 20 can also be attached to the longitudinal side which lies at the top, with the result that the cover sheet 21 is then closed on all sides. To this end, additional closing apparatuses can be arranged above the conveying apparatus 10, which additional closing apparatuses correspond to the closing apparatuses 15, 15′. However, it can also be sufficient, according to FIG. 3, to attach a closure 20 only on one transverse side of the product 14. In further preferred embodiments, the closure is attached multiple times, that is to say a plurality of closures are attached to a plurality of short sections of the edge. As a result, for example, the size and, in particular in the case of perforation elements, the force which is required for closing can be reduced.

Another exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6: a conveying apparatus 32 is also provided here, which grips and holds the products 14 by means of grippers 13 and transports them along a conveying path 11. In this case, however, the products 14 lie on a supporting face and form an overlapping stream from partially overlapping products 14. As a result of the partial overlapping in the overlapping stream, the freely accessible side regions of the products 14 are shortened considerably, as a result of which the use of corresponding closing tools is made more difficult. In order, in an overlapping stream of this type, to obtain more space for the use of closing tools, the conveying path 11 according to FIG. 6 is curved arcuately at one location. As a result, the overlapping stream of the products 14 is fanned open on the outer side which faces away from the curvature center, as a result of which sufficient space is provided for the use of a closing apparatus 33 or a corresponding closing tool. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, the closing apparatus 33 is pivoted to and fro by a defined angle, for example, on a pivoting arm 35 about a pivot axis 34 which stands in the center of the circular arc. The pivoting in the clockwise direction takes place synchronously with respect to the movement of the products 14 on the conveying path 11. During this synchronous movement, the desired closure 20 is produced in a purely mechanical way (caulking, interlocking). Rapid pivoting back counter to the clockwise direction then takes place, in order then to follow the synchronous pivoting movement again in the case of following products.

If the products 14 do not overlap too much in the overlapping stream, as is the case in the conveying apparatus 36 of FIG. 7, a (stationary) closing apparatus 37 which comprises two elements which can rotate in opposite directions, namely a (lower) roll 38 and an (upper) closing tool 39, can be used without additional fanning open. The roll 38 which serves as a support has a stationary rotational axis, whereas the closing tool 39 can be displaced in the vertical direction relative to the lower roll 38 (double arrow in FIG. 7). In order to close the product 14, the closing tool 39 is lowered briefly onto the lower roll 38 and thus produces a pressing pressure which, in a similar way to the closing tool 19 of FIG. 4, can be used to form a purely mechanical closure 20. The type of closure (caulked or interlocked) can be selected freely here. The rotation of the roll 38 takes place synchronously with the linear movement of the conveying apparatus 36.

A further exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 8. Here, the products 14 are transported in the conveying apparatus 40 in an overlapping stream on a circulating transport belt 41 which is guided as an endless belt around the deflecting rollers 42 and 43 and is driven there. The products 14 protrude laterally with their edge beyond the transport belt 41. In this region, a closing apparatus 44 is arranged which has a lower roll 45 as corresponding part to an upper, rotating closing tool 46. A vertical movement of the closing tool 46 is not necessary. Rather, the tool rolls with its head on the roll 45. Here too, the rotational movement is synchronous with the linear movement of the overlapping stream of the products 14. The tool head alone or else the corresponding part can have their speed and position controlled. According to further embodiments, a plurality of tool heads can also be used. 

1. A method for closing a flat product (14) which comprises a cover sheet (21) which is open on at least one side, preferably on three sides, and at least one printed product (22, 23) which is inserted loosely in the cover sheet (21), the method comprising: feeding the product (14) such that it hangs freely or is in an overlapping stream to a closing apparatus (15, 15′; 33; 37; 44); and closing at least one open side of the cover sheet (21) in the closing apparatus (15, 15′; 33; 37; 44) exclusively by mechanical action on the cover sheet (21) by means of a closing tool (19, 19′; 39, 46).
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one open side to be closed of the cover sheet (21) is closed by caulking of two edges (21 a, 21 b) which lie on one another.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one side to be closed of the cover sheet (21) is closed by interlocking of two edges (21 a, 21 b) which lie on one another.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: conveying the product (14) in a conveying apparatus (10, 32, 36, 40) with other products (14) of the same type in a continuous stream along a conveying path (11), and feeding the product (21) by means of the conveying apparatus (10, 32, 36, 40) to the closing apparatus (15, 15′; 33; 37; 44) for closing, and is led leading away after being closed.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising: guiding the product (14) through the closing apparatus (15, 15′; 33; 37; 44) by means of the conveying apparatus (10, 32, 36, 40) for closing.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising: moving the product (14) continuously through the closing apparatus (15, 15′; 33; 37; 44), and moving the closing tool (19, 19′; 39, 46) during the closing operation synchronously with the product (14) to be closed.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising: moving the product (14) through the closing apparatus (15, 15′; 33; 37; 44) on a straight conveying path (11), and moving the closing tool (19, 19′) during the closing operation parallel to the product (14) to be closed.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising: moving the product (21) through the closing apparatus (15, 15′; 33; 37; 44) on a straight conveying path (11), and moving the closing tool (39, 46) during the closing operation on a circular path, along which the product is transported substantially tangentially.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising: moving the closing apparatus (33) during the closing operation synchronously with the product (14) to be closed.
 10. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising: conveying the products (14) in the form of an overlapping stream in the conveying apparatus (32), in that, in order to fan out the products (14), the conveying path (11) extends in a circular arc about a pivot axis (34), and in that, during the closing operation, the closing apparatus (33) is driven synchronously with the product (14) to be closed, such that said closing apparatus (33) pivots about the pivot axis (34).
 11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the product (14) comprises a rectangular cover sheet (21) which is folded once (24) along a center line and forms a pocket which is open on three sides, and in that the cover sheet is closed on at least one of the two transverse sides (21 a, 21 b).
 12. An apparatus for carrying out the method as claimed in claim 1, comprising a conveying apparatus (10, 32, 36, 40) for conveying the product (14) with other products (14) of the same type in a continuous stream along a conveying path (11), wherein the conveying path (11) leads through or along a closing apparatus (15, 15′; 33; 37; 44) which has a closing tool (19, 19′; 39, 46) which closes the cover sheet (21) of the products (14) on at least one side exclusively by mechanical action on the cover sheet (21).
 13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the conveying apparatus (10) is configured for conveying the products (14) in a hanging manner, the products (14) being held in each case centrally by a gripper (13), and in that a closing apparatus (15, 15′) is arranged on at least one side of the conveying apparatus (10), which closing apparatus (15, 15′) has tongs-shaped closing tools (19, 19′) for laterally closing the product (14) or cover sheet (21).
 14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the closing tool (19, 19′) moves parallel to the conveying path (11) and synchronously with the products (14).
 15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the closing tools (19, 19′) are fastened to a carrying element (16, 16′) which is guided around two deflecting wheels (17, 18; 17′, 18′) in the manner of an endless belt.
 16. The apparatus as claimed in one of claim 13, wherein the closing tools (19, 19′) each include two clamping jaws (25, 26) which can be pivoted with respect to one another about a common pivot axis (29) and on which elements (30, 31) for mechanically closing the cover sheet (21) are arranged.
 17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the elements for mechanically closing the cover sheet (21) comprise perforation elements (30) on one clamping jaw (25) and associated openings (31) on an other clamping jaw (26).
 18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the conveying apparatus (32, 36, 40) is configured for conveying the products (14) in an overlapping stream, and in that a closing apparatus (33, 37, 44) is arranged at least on one side of the conveying apparatus (32, 36, 40), which closing apparatus (33, 37, 44) has an upper part (39; 46) and a lower part (38, 45), between which the product (14) is guided through in the conveying apparatus (32, 36, 40).
 19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the upper and lower parts are configured as closing tools (39, 46) and rolls (38, 45) which rotate in opposite directions and synchronously with the products.
 20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the closing tool (39) and the roll (38) are displaced with respect to one another in order to exert pressure on the cover sheet (21). 